<p>How hard is it typically for out-of-state students to adjust? I'm from Georgia. I feel like I'm really independent, but I'm just wondering on how current or post out-of-state students felt when moving to LA.</p>
<p>It really depends on the kid and how soon or slowly she finds her “tribe.” If you will be in a particular dorm, many of them have activities to help the students get to know one another. Our S lived in the Great Outdoors dorm and was in the engineering school. The dorm had some activities like camping, hiking, going to the beach, going to a football game, etc. I believe the school of engineering also had some activities. S got to know kids on his floor and in his school. He met some other kids from his home state and lots of other kids.</p>
<p>Our D transferred after 3 semesters of CC. She had a bit harder time meeting people because she wasn’t a freshman and had no freshman activities. She still was able to adjust fine, since many of her HS friends also attended USC and once she got into the School of Cinema, she met others in her classes, as well as at a campus job she held.</p>
<p>S had a room mate who played hockey, who met other players by playing. S also played ultimate and soccer with other kids in the dorm and formed a rock climbing club. He met kids through those activities as well. D did some fencing and some polo; met kids through those activities. They had friends who joined frats and sororities who also met kids.</p>
<p>USC is a large school but has something for everyone, if you are open, friendly and look around you. Both my kids had great experiences. Many of the kids at USC are from out of state-- TX, WA, HI, and many, many other places.</p>
<p>I’m from Georgia, and an Undecided major. Though I can’t say I’ve found a plethora of people from Georgia, I’ve run into a decent amount of people from the Southern States.</p>
<p>Thought I wouldn’t have a problem trying to adjust, as I’d lived in Los Angeles for about 4 years when I was younger. Also had this arrogant mindset that I had a leg-up against my fellow USC peers, about half of whom are from in-state. While they live anywhere from 40 to 400 miles away from home, I lived 2,000 miles away. I don’t have the luxury to take a weekend trip or even a Thanksgiving trip back home. Gotta stick it out here until December. Because of this distance, along with my ability to do the basic domestic chores (washing my own clothes and dishes, taking out the trash, making up my bed, keeping my room tidy, washing behind my ears - y’know, the basics) I assumed I had something to show for my independence. </p>
<p>I was wrong. This is just me, but I find the the people, attitudes, and overall culture in California and Georgia to be quite different, and I found myself calling my mother many times since I’ve been here to confide my uncertainty that the university was the right choice for me. Overall, the environment of not only USC but SoCal as a whole took me a while to get used to, and in some ways I am still adjusting! </p>
<p>I’m saying all this to say, come into USC with an open mind and fresh perspective. While you may think you’re grown and independent now, I promise you, you’re still gonna have some growing up to do in college. That goes for anyone.</p>
<p>As for the adjusting, it’s all depending on the person, yeah? I’m a pretty shy girl, so naturally it was a bit challenging for me to get out of my comfort zone at first. Maybe not the same story for you. However, today I can whole-heartedly say that my earlier fears regarding my inability to make friends here at USC were definitely unnecessary, though understandable at the time. Plenty of opportunities, including welcome week, clubs, events, and my current job have lead me to meet many people, make plenty acquaintances and mentors, and have a handful of great friends that I can rely on.</p>
<p>Don’t worry. You’ll do fine here. Like I said, there’s always, always something going on on campus, and therefore plenty of opportunities for you to find cool and interesting people that speak to you.</p>
<p>Oh, and little tip: Bring a jacket here, k? And a couple of long-sleeves shirts and sweaters.</p>
<p>I thought I wouldn’t need one, and was so stuck on this superior mentality of people from California considering the “cold” to be a mild 65 degrees. I’m regretting that choice. It actually gets pretty darn chilly! Right now, though it does get decent enough in the afternoon that I am perfectly comfortable in capris and a short sleeve shirt, by night I’m usually freezing my tail off.</p>
<p>Also, stock up on the southern home cooking while you still can. </p>
<p>Good luck, and Fight On!</p>
<p>With so many kids from CA and so many from far away including other countries, East Coast, HI and elsewhere, there are LOTS of kids to hang out with who don’t go home for weekends or breaks. Some CA kids or folks living fairly nearby may even invite you over! College is for expanding yourself.</p>